In Seneca, R-20 wins out over R-15

A businessman in Seneca sought last night to develop what he called an upscale home development around existing neighborhoods, but those who live nearby are taking issue.  And the opponents to Dan Freeman’s plans for 16 acres at Dalton Road, Queen Street, and Rocky Ridge Circle won a unanimous vote of the city planning commissioners.  Dalton Road resident Tim Bowen said he does not oppose Freeman’s right to develop the property, but fears that allowing houses on one-third of an acre would make for the appearance of houses that would look like “shoeboxes stacked on each other.” The commission went on record against a zoning change that would have allowed Freeman to build as many as seven additional homes, if the zoning lot size were reduced from 20 thousand square feet to 15 thousand square.  The final decision at city level will rest with the city council during July 11 and August 8 meetings.  One of the councilmen who’ll have a vote, Ronnie O’Kelley, was an audience member last night.  After five Seneca residents spoke in opposition and after the announcement that there are 11 emails of opposition, Chairman Barry Duvall led the commission to unanimously reject the re-zoning application saying, “Our job is not to make development more profitable.”